Used SUV to buy (Mazda, Hyundai, Kia)
Discussion
We have a 2018 Hyundai Tuscon, bought back in 2021. We were looking at similar cars, I was leaning towards the CX5, the only reason we went with the Tuscon instead was availability of cars mid covid.
Ours is the 1.6 n/a petrol. It's fine, but the engine does start to struggle once you load the car up, I'd try and go for a slightly larger engine, or push the budget to the new turbo model if buying again. Reliability wise, it's been spot on, it's covered 25k in the last 3yrs without issue. It has just needed a new clutch at 60k miles, but I think that was more to do with it being a mobility car for the first 3yrs, can't imagine the clutch was given an easy life, but even so a new clutch was £550 fitted, and that's all it's needed in 3yrs.
If you're after reliability I'd stick to Kia/Hyundai/Mazda etc. Whilst the VW might feel a bit nicer, and possible have a better spec, I personally wouldn't fancy owning a 2016-2018 out of warranty VW.
Ours is the 1.6 n/a petrol. It's fine, but the engine does start to struggle once you load the car up, I'd try and go for a slightly larger engine, or push the budget to the new turbo model if buying again. Reliability wise, it's been spot on, it's covered 25k in the last 3yrs without issue. It has just needed a new clutch at 60k miles, but I think that was more to do with it being a mobility car for the first 3yrs, can't imagine the clutch was given an easy life, but even so a new clutch was £550 fitted, and that's all it's needed in 3yrs.
If you're after reliability I'd stick to Kia/Hyundai/Mazda etc. Whilst the VW might feel a bit nicer, and possible have a better spec, I personally wouldn't fancy owning a 2016-2018 out of warranty VW.
We’ve had 2018 CX5 petrol (manual box) from new. Paid off the PCP when it was up and carried on. Currently on 78k miles.
We don’t do his or hers cars - all are shared. This is the primary decent/family car (others are an ancient Peugeot 307 shed and a similarly old MX5) and it’s our choice for commuting, long distance, family activities.
Plus points:
Well designed - looks good on the outside (ours is in the obligatory red)
Well equipped - ours is the Sport Nav model of the time, so lots of features as standard. Only thing is missing is Apple CarPlay but this is retrofittable.
Handling - goes round corners well for its height/size.
Reliability - so far only one issue (fuel pump) but that was subject to a recall anyway
Size - it’s a crossover and not a big SUV, but as a family of 3 it’s yet to not be able to do anything we have asked of it
Minus points:
Acceleration - or lack of it. The NA engine really does need a thrashing to propel it along. On trips to the far corner of Wakes to see my ageing parents it really is no good for making progress/overtaking slow vehicles
Ride - by no means bad, it is pretty firm (which is how it handles as well as it does). This is most noticeable in the back seats.
Infotainment - by no means bad, but I’ve never found the built-in satnav to be user friendly, preferring to have the phone running Waze. This would be solved if we fitted the CarPlay module!
Overall would recommend. Only reason for us to change is because we fancy something else. So far we haven’t identified anything. It’s possible it will stay long term.
We don’t do his or hers cars - all are shared. This is the primary decent/family car (others are an ancient Peugeot 307 shed and a similarly old MX5) and it’s our choice for commuting, long distance, family activities.
Plus points:
Well designed - looks good on the outside (ours is in the obligatory red)
Well equipped - ours is the Sport Nav model of the time, so lots of features as standard. Only thing is missing is Apple CarPlay but this is retrofittable.
Handling - goes round corners well for its height/size.
Reliability - so far only one issue (fuel pump) but that was subject to a recall anyway
Size - it’s a crossover and not a big SUV, but as a family of 3 it’s yet to not be able to do anything we have asked of it
Minus points:
Acceleration - or lack of it. The NA engine really does need a thrashing to propel it along. On trips to the far corner of Wakes to see my ageing parents it really is no good for making progress/overtaking slow vehicles
Ride - by no means bad, it is pretty firm (which is how it handles as well as it does). This is most noticeable in the back seats.
Infotainment - by no means bad, but I’ve never found the built-in satnav to be user friendly, preferring to have the phone running Waze. This would be solved if we fitted the CarPlay module!
Overall would recommend. Only reason for us to change is because we fancy something else. So far we haven’t identified anything. It’s possible it will stay long term.
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